Douglas County Korean War veteran beaten at own mailbox

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - A Douglas County grandfather is recovering from face and head injuries after he was attacked at his own mailbox.

Korean War veteran Jack Wilson said he was ambushed at his mailbox Wednesday morning and forced to put up a fight.

“He was coming forward, hit me in the face. I went down in the ditch from the first blow and he was beating on me,” Wilson said.

The 79-year-old has visible scratches and bruises from the attack.

“I was trying to get him, but I’m 79 years old. I don’t move as fast as I used to,” Wilson said.

When a passing driver stopped to help, the attacker drove off in Wilson's Lincoln, but a deputy spotted the car within minutes and arrested Daniel Sy Smith. Smith was charged with aggravated assault and motor vehicle theft.

"He’s also going to be charged with driving under the influence of a narcotic,” Lt. Bruce Ferguson of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said.